What to know when moving to Carolina Beach, NC
TL;DR: Carolina Beach at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A coastal community with 21.3% of residents renting and a median income of $87,670.
- The Major Draw:
- Access to beautiful outdoor spots like Carolina Beach State Park, rated 4.7 stars by nearly 3,600 reviewers.
- The Reality Check:
- High median home value at $490,100, making home ownership a significant investment.
- Commute:
- 0% of residents use public transit.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for median rent of $1,515 per month.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
The demographics for ZIP code 28428 show a population of 7,034 with a diverse housing market.
- Median gross rent is $1,515, indicating a moderate rental market.
- Median home value sits at $490,100, suggesting a premium on home ownership.
- Approximately 21.3% of residents are renters, making it a relatively owner-dominated area.
- The poverty rate is at 8.4%, reflecting a stable economic environment.
- Almost half of the residents (47.6%) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, indicating a well-educated community.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
In North Carolina, crime rates have shown some improvement over the years, with property crime down by 15.1% since 2022.
- Violent crime: 321 incidents per 100k residents, slightly lower than the national average of 325.3.
- Property crime: 1,780.6 incidents per 100k residents, which is 15.1% higher than the national rate of 1,546.9.
- Notable trend: Homicide rates decreased by 23.2% since 2022, now at 6.4 per 100k.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for North Carolina).
Weather & Getting Outside
Carolina Beach experiences about 32.8 inches of rainfall annually, with 80 rainy days each year. Summer sees the most precipitation, averaging 16.2 inches.
- Carolina Beach Boardwalk: 4.5 stars (7,192 reviews)
- Kure Beach Pier: 4.7 stars (6,083 reviews)
- Carolina Beach State Park: 4.7 stars (3,596 reviews)
- Fort Fisher State Historic Site: 4.8 stars (3,102 reviews)
Sources: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places.